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(No Model.) G. I. STOCK, Deod.

N. G. MOORE, Administrator. FLYING TARGET.

No. 323,897. Patented Aug. 4.1885.

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N, PETERS. Phnmumognphnr. Washington D C Nite rares CHARLES F. STOCK, OFPEORIA, ILLINOIS; N. GRIER MOORE (ADMINISTRA- TOR OF SAID CHARLES F.STOCK, DECEASED), ASSIGNOR TO EDWARD H. WALKER, OF SAME PLACE.

FLYING TARGET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 323,897, dated August4, 1885.

Application led October 18, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern Be it known that l, CHARLES F. S'rocK, acitizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county ofPeoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Flying Targets, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to that class of targets or projectiles, sometimescalled blackbird IO targets77 or clay pigeons, which are thrown throughthe air from traps or suitable mechanism, to be shot at by marksmen,andis designed for use particularly in that class of traps which haveclamping fingers, arms, or projections which ltake hold of the target atmore than one point. Such targets are usuallymade of burned clay orother fragile material,and are so shaped that when given an axialrotation as they leave the trap or sending device their iiight 2O willmore or less resemble that of a bird. It is found that the force of thewind blowing across the path of these targets will seriously interferewith this object, as the targets are usually made quite light. Being offragile material, it is quite difficult to handle them without breakage,and the loss therefrom during transportation is considerable.

The object of my invention is to overcome these defects, and is fullyexplained below in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It consists in providing a saucer-shaped target, made of burned clay orother light and fragile material, whose thickness in cross-section shallbe greatest at the periphery and 3 5 thinnest at the center, so that theminimum amount of material is used, but so distributed as to insure afirm and solid target, and yet light enough to be projected through theair properly.

4o It also consists in providing a recess or step on the thick or flangeportion thereof, so that when packed together for shipment one targetwill fit nicely inside of the other, and thus lessen the liability ofbreakage.

4 5 It also consists in providing proper lugs or recesses for thereception of the clampingjaws of the trap or sending mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification,and in which 5o similar letters of reference indicate like parts,

I have shown in Figures l, 2, and 3 plan views of my improved targets,in Figs. 4 and 5 bottom and side views, in Fig. 6 a cross-section, andin Fig. 7 I have shown a nest of tive targets as they are arranged forshipment. In said drawings the target Ais constructed with a centralportion, B, which I prefer to make as thin as the material used in itsconstruction will allow, and also about one-half of the whole diameter,or greater in size. 6o

C is the ange or rim, provided with lugs or recesses D to receive orengage with the pins or projections on the clamping-arms of the trap.The flange C is made with a ledge or shoulder, E, so that the targetsmay be Y nicely packed together, as shown in Fig. 7.

In order to prevent the possibility of pellets of shot glancing whenthey strike the convex portion F, I provide the same with small annularrings or ridges G.

That portion of the target which receives the most handling, and whichis usually presented to the view of the marksman, I make thick, asshown. The rim C is made of such depth as will prevent the centralconvex portion or body of one target touching or resting on the body ofanother target when packed or nested for shipment. This constructionreduces the breakage during transportation and handling to a minimum. 8O

In Figs. l and 3 I have shown the rim of the target provided with lugsto receive the clamping-fingers of the trap. In Fig. 2 the rim is cutout, so as to form lugs to engage said clamping-fingers, while in Figs.4 and 5 85 notches or slots in the lower edge of the rim serve the samepurpose.

What l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The circular convextarget made of fragile 9o material, having itsthickest portion in crosssection-at its periphery, and provided with twoor more lugs or notches on said periphery, as and for the purposespecified.

2. The fragile flying target A, when provided with thin central portion,B, convex portion F, ridges G, lugs or notches D on the periphery of thetarget, and ledge or shoulder E, substantially as shown, and for thepurpose specified.

CHARLES F. STOCK.

Witnesses:

JOHN T. NEILsoN, FRANK H. J ACK.

